Tucked deep inside the craniums of toy train buffs is the “N” or Nostalgia Factor. For those under 50, “N” is more often a vicarious experience, having never grown up with piles of orange and blue boxes in those golden oldie years or argued over the merits or demerits of Lionel VS. AF. In short, deprived.
For the wrinkled class, the “N” factor has a more palpable meaning, with old but still vivid sensory memories of smoke pellet smells, e-unit buzzings, and eye-festivals of tubular empires with Plasticville towns and PW trains.
A dear friend is a member of the wrinkled category. I’ve watched him barely contain his glee and exuberance whenever he sees a Blue Comet tearing down the mainline far above the posted speed limit.
But I’ve also watched his interests broaden. Atlas track, sound, cruise, and last week, TMCC; in short, things he didn’t grow up with.
But what really got me thinking about the illusive “N” factor is a dilemma reg. my friend’s Scout, which he received as a child in '53 and which, until some months ago, was still running like a charm.
As the Bible says, though not in these exact words, material things will fade with time. And so it was with his beloved Scout, which reached the end of the proverbial line. Motor burnout perhaps? But the coroner pronounced: “Died of Old Age.”
Repairing the Bakelite encased motor was pretty much out of the question. Another Scout motor replacement, perhaps, or shelf-queen status.
But in today’s hi-tech world, there are even more options than ever before. I am told that with enough money, one can convert nearly every locomotive to command control, complete with sound, cruise, TMCC or DCS compatibility and smoke units. Pricey for a Scout; much easier to just simply buy another old Scout. But another will not do. This was HIS childhood Scout (pictured in CTT Sept03 Pg 64). This is HIS “N” factor.
After some pondering and reflecting on this single-case study of the “N”